"Well... indeed."
Shang Chaotian nodded slightly, and then sighed softly:
"In order to concentrate on preparing for the chess holy war last year, he and I discussed it and both felt that the challenge [chess] The opportunity to win the title of [Sage] is rare, and since I can still participate in the King of Kings Tournament next year, I gave up and concentrated on preparing for the Holy War of Chess...
"In the end, it’s just that he didn’t win the [Sage of Chess]. Actually, I haven’t won a championship in the past year! As a direct result, we are not even qualified to compete this year!
“Obviously in terms of overall performance and total prize money, he can definitely rank among the top three in the country in the past year...”
What Shang Chaotian said is absolutely true.
Since May last year, Lei Qi has received 500,000 yuan for the runner-up in the Chess Holy War, 250,000 yuan for the top four in the Dream Lily Cup, about 500,000 yuan for the runner-up in the Sanshuang Cup, and 200,000 yuan for the runner-up in the Tianyuan War. Coupled with some other bits and pieces, the total prize money has exceeded most of the participating champion chess players.
However, the selection criteria for the King of Kings tournament is only based on the championship bonus.
Lei Qi has never won a championship or title in the past year, so he cannot be selected.
“…but…it’s my fault too!”
Shang Chaotian sighed again and said:
"If I had handled that matter better, it wouldn't have ended up like this..."
Seeing Shang Chaotian sighing, he couldn't stop sighing. , Lu Wenjie quickly interrupted:
"Brother Tian, why are you so anxious! In fact... Xiaolei's performance has been pretty good recently!
"Although the lack of flow has limited his ability to It's definitely restricted, but the stability feels like it's back!
“Since I started competing in the Nongshim Cup last year, I have entered the Challenger Finals in the Masters Tournament, the semi-finals in the Yixian Tournament, the semi-finals in the Mengli Lily Cup, the runner-up in the Sanshuang Cup, and the Challenger in the Tianyuan Tournament. My grade points have returned to second place in the country. And the gap with Lin Ruixin is smaller than before last year’s chess holy war! I think chess fans are regretting that he can’t participate in the King of Kings!”
Fashion Chaotian also showed some relief:
“His recent thoughts...really feel extra focused.
“Although the Three Cool Cups are a pity, as a chess player, persistence and accumulation are the most important things, not just one game. The victory or defeat - even if that game is the deciding game of the World Championship finals.
“After he half lost his second championship, his condition was not affected and he stood out as a challenger in the Tianyuan competition that was about to start. This can be seen as a real improvement.”
< br>
But when it came to this, Shang Chaotian seemed to have thought of something. He frowned and said:
"However, I was quite dissatisfied with his performance in the final third round of Tianyuan's battle.
"Although Ni Jue's flying knife is a very scary thing, but what does it mean that he made concessions from the beginning of two games in a row for fear of being hit?
“It made Ni Jue defend his title without even using a sword!
“According to his current state, he will have a chance to become a challenger again in the Masters in the second half of the year. of! Don’t get sick again then! ”
"Uh...well.
"Go back...let's have a chat with him! "
Lu Wenjie, who felt that things were a bit strange, seemed to have noticed something, but he did not rush to tell Shang Chaotian his speculation before confirming it. He changed the topic and said:
"Next...I guess the second reason why you are unhappy!
“Seeing that this year’s King of Kings tournament has become a gathering of domestic champions... I guess Brother Tian is in a bad mood too, right?”
Shang Chaotian glanced at his deputy and couldn't help but smile bitterly again.
"I feel... I have really been touched by you all these years!
"Indeed! Not a single person came to compete with the title of world champion. This is the first time since King of Kings has been held for five years!
"Based on the past situation, Lin Ruixin was not the last one to appear! But this year there are no tigers in the mountains, and the monkey is the king!"
Shang Chaotian's words are exactly right: the king of kings will appear in the game The order of the ceremony is from the lowest to the highest amount of championship prizes.
Although Lin Ruixin once again defended the title of [Chess Master] last year, which is only more important than a single world championship, the advantage of [Chess Master] is that it is a challenge system. In terms of individual prizes, it cannot compare with the World Series.
But now, with Lei Qi losing in the Sanshuang Cup final, Chinese chess players have not won any world championship in the past year. This happened last time...
< br>This goes back to when Shang Chaotian was still participating in the World Championships. Lu Wenjie pursed his lower lip and then comforted:
"It's okay, Brother Tian! There are actually many World Championships this year, and we still have a good chance.
"At the end of last month, Gezhou has officially announced the first 'Tongge Cup' World Go Championship, which will be officially held in June.
"In addition, this year is a leap year.
“The ‘Olympic Games’...will be held too.”
“Well...
“It’s time to hold the Yingyi Cup again! ”
Shang Chaotian knew that the "Olympic Games" Lu Wenjie mentioned was naturally not the one held in Gaul. Instead, it is the Yingyi Cup World Professional Go Championship, which is held every four years and is known as the "Go Olympics".
However, although two more events that were not last year will soon be held this year, the chairman of the Chess Association is still difficult to say optimistic.
The first person in the world who has shown extremely strong dominance is still the biggest obstacle standing in the way of Chinese chess players winning the championship.
Although Mr. Liu unexpectedly lost to his country’s dark horse seventh-dan chess player Han Chaojun in the Sanshuang Cup, in the top 16 he overcame Ni Jue in a disadvantageous situation and still showed amazing fighting ability. And suppressive power!
No one can expect that he will fall unexpectedly again in the Tongge Cup and Yingyi Cup like he did in the Sanshuang Cup.
Moreover, if it is the Yingyi Cup...
Shang Chaotian stared slightly and suddenly asked his deputy:
“Hey, by the way Wenjie.
“Master Liu Is the Yingyi Cup the only Grand Slam left? "
"Huh? ”
Lu Wenjie was stunned and subconsciously asked:
"Is it that fast?"
The "Grand Slam" the two mentioned is a special honor in the field of Go.
A chess player is considered a "Grand Slam" if he can win all the stable world championships he can win during his active period.
However, only Choi Myung-ho, the first man in the history of the World Championship era, was able to achieve this achievement. Even Choi Sung-seok, another South Korean leader who holds thirteen crowns, could not complete it.
Although there is only one Grand Slam winner, GOAT, so the Go circle generally does not list it as an important indicator of historical status evaluation, let alone require a leader.
But if someone can achieve it again, it will always be comparable to the first in history. Even Shang Chaotian felt a little envious that his old rival could win all the championships.
Now that Lu Wenjie heard that Master Liu was only missing one item, he was a little surprised and quickly recalled:
"The competitions that are still being held steadily, except for the I don’t know how many times the Tongge Cup can be held, but there are six categories in total: Sanshuang, Miaojia Bailing, LIG, Spring Orchid, Dream Lily, and Yingyi.
“Among these six categories, there are three Shuang Cups. ...This is his first championship in 20 years.
"Miaojia Bailing Cup... He also won the second championship in 20 years.
"LIG Cup... He won two consecutive championships in 2021 and 22, and almost won three consecutive championships last year!
"Spring Orchid Cup... He also won two consecutive championships in 2021 and last year, and he will win three consecutive championships next year!
"Dream Lily Cup... He just won it in January this year !
“Holy shit?!
"Unknowingly... Master Liu is really only one Yingyi Cup away from the Grand Slam?!
"It has only been four years since he won his first championship!
“You know, even Lin Ruixin, who is recognized as the only one who can compete with Da Cui in talent, took more than five years to get to the point where he is only one thing behind!”
“Ah... ?”
Hearing this, Shang Chaotian was suddenly stunned for a moment, as if he suddenly realized something, and then said with complicated emotions:
"If you say so...I almost forgot.
"Lin Ruixin...
"He is only short of the Yingyi Cup to win the Grand Slam."
After saying this, Shang Chaotian couldn't help but turn his head and look towards the stage, straight towards the free and uninhibited Chinese chess master in the middle of the stage.
At this time, perhaps because the war is approaching, the always unruly eyes of the number one player in Chinese Go seem to have a bit of arrogance...
And the long-lost determination. (End of this chapter)